Gateway device, system and method

Abstract

A local network system include one or more terminals operable to act as a client on the local network, wherein at least one terminal is a remote control configured to receive user input; and a gateway device operable to manage communications between the one or more terminals and an external network. The gateway device includes a memory configured to store a set of instructions; a processor configured to execute the set of instructions; a first communications module in communication with the external network; a second communications module for providing communication between the gateway device and at least one terminal; and a third communications module for providing communication between the gateway device and at least one other terminal.

1 . A local network system comprising:
 a plurality of terminals operable to act as a clients on a local network, wherein at least one terminal is a remote control configured to receive user input and wherein at least one terminal is a monitor configured to display multimedia data;   a gateway device operable to manage communications between the one or more terminals and an external network, the gateway device comprising:
 a memory configured to store a set of instructions; 
 a processor configured to execute the set of instructions; 
 a first communications module in communication with the external network; 
 a second communications module in communication with the remote control and first communications module, wherein at least some commands received from the remote control by the second communications module are communicated to the external network by way of the first communications module; and 
 a third communications module in communication with the monitor, the first communications module and at least one other communications module, wherein multimedia data received from the external network via the first communications nodule or multimedia data from the at least one other communications module in communications with another terminal is communicated to the monitor by the third communications module; and 
 a fourth communications module in communication with at least one other terminal, wherein at least some commands received from the remote control by the second communications module are communicated to the at least one other terminal by the fourth communications module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control comprises a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the remote control instructions cause the remote control processor to receive a user configuration for the remote control; and store the user configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the remote control instructions further cause the remote control processor to receive a user log on; and load the stored user configuration based on the received user log-on. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the remote control includes a display and wherein the user configuration includes one or more user-selected virtual buttons for display on the remote control display. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the user configuration includes one or more standard buttons that are displayed with the user-selected buttons when the user configuration is loaded. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control includes a touchscreen. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control is a smartphone. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the remote control is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a dongle in communication with the remote control and configured to provide a communication link between the gateway device and the remote control. 
     
     
         11 . A method of employing a remote control in a local network system, the local network system comprising a gateway device and one or more terminals, wherein at least one terminal is a remote control, the method comprising:
 receiving a user configuration for the remote control;   storing the user configuration for the remote control;   receiving a user log-on for the remote control; and   loading the stored user configuration for the remote control, wherein the user configuration enables a user command from the remote control to the gateway device on the local network; and wherein said user command is then transmitted from the gateway device to control one or more terminals.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the remote control includes a display and wherein the user configuration includes one or more user-selected buttons for display on the remote control display. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the user configuration includes one or more standard buttons that are displayed with the user-selected buttons when the user configuration is loaded. 
     
     
         14 . A remote control for use in a local network system, the system comprising a gateway device in communication with one or more terminals and the remote control, the remote control comprising:
 memory configured to store a set of instructions;   a processor configured to execute the set of instructions, wherein the instructions cause the processor to:
 receive a user configuration for the remote control; and 
 store the user configuration for the remote control, wherein the user configuration enables a user command from the remote control to the gateway device on the local network; and wherein said user command is then transmitted from the gateway device to control one or More terminals. 
   
     
     
         15 . The remote control of  claim 14  wherein the instructions further cause the processor to: receive a user log-on for the remote control; and load the stored user configuration for the remote control based on the received user log-on. 
     
     
         16 . The remote control of  claim 14  wherein the remote control includes a display wherein the user configuration includes one or more user-selected buttons for display on the remote control. 
     
     
         17 . The remote control of  claim 14  further comprising a dangle in communication with the remote control and configured to provide a communication link between the gateway device and the remote control.